A lot of people menstruate and have periods. They usually bleed from their vagina or front hole. Menstruation can come with other symptoms like cramping and bloating. Everyone’s body is different, so their periods can feel different. But the basic parts of a period are similar for most people who get them.
Most people get their periods once every 25-30 days. They lose around 1-6 tablespoons of fluid. Some people might get painful cramps or get more emotional before their periods. This is called PMS.
What happens during your period?
A period is when you bleed from your vagina or front hole. Some people can get cramping, bloating, or other uncomfortable things before their bleeding starts.
In the days before your period, an egg goes from your fallopian tubes into your uterus. This is the time of the month when you can get pregnant. If you don’t get pregnant, the egg and extra tissue comes out of your body as a period. That’s the simple version and you can learn a lot more about how periods work!
Only about 35% of what comes out in a period is blood. The rest is cells, the lining of your uterus, and other fluids.
How do I know if my period is “normal”?
Everyone’s body is different. Not everyone who has a uterus gets their period. Not everyone who gets their period can get pregnant! Your period might feel different from other people’s, but that doesn’t mean there’s something wrong.
Usually, people get their periods every 25-30 days and it lasts for 2-7 days. Most people lose between 1-6 tablespoons of fluid during their periods. But there’s a lot of variety!
Experts recommend seeing a doctor if….
- You’re bleeding through two ‘heavy’ pads every hour
- There’s more than 45 days between your periods
- There’s less than 21 days between your periods
Being a little more emotional than usual or having some cramps before your period is common. But if you have signs of anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues before your period, a doctor might be able to help.
If you’re worried about your health, you can always talk to a doctor or nurse who you trust. They can tell you more about how your body works and what to watch out for. If you want to talk to someone right away, you can call 811 to talk to a nurse at Info-Santé.
Does menstruation always hurt? What if it hurts a lot?
Not everyone has cramping or pain during their periods! But, some people have painful cramps. They can take Advil or Tylenol to help.
If you have pain that’s so bad it makes it hard to do everyday activities, something could be wrong. Bad cramps, nausea, fever, or blacking out can be a sign something is wrong. In these cases, experts recommend talking to a gynaecologist.
Understanding your body can be a great way to tell if anything changes. Some people like tracking their periods on a calendar or an app to see what’s usual for them! If you notice any changes that make you worried, you can always bring them up with a doctor.
